Tongs for test tubes or the like



Aug. 26, 1952 A. J. MARBEUF 2,508,433

TONGS FOR TEST TUBES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 11, 1947 INVENTOR:

Armandjean Narbeuf ATTORNEHS Patented Aug. 26, 1952 r 3 unirso STATES PATENT oFF viii Tones FOR TEST Tones- 6R. THE LIKE Armand Jean Marbeuf, Rabat, Morocco. p application August 11, 1947, Serial No. 767,964 1i. f In France Juneffi, 1945. 1

. -Section'1,PublicLaw690,August8,1946 l Patent expires JuneqG, 1965 i Claims. (Cl. 294 993 'Iheij present invention-is: concernedwith a the pl'ate elements andthe springs m'ay tongs device for test tubes, matrasses, and the .bemade-of chromium steel, although other suitlike. ably resilient material could be utilized for that Said device is essentially characterised in that purpose. a pair of resilient strip elements forming the 5 What is claimed is: tongs are normally maintained in contact en- 1. A device for handling an article to be heated gagement, their action being reinforced by comprising in combination a handle of heat isomeans of arcuate spring plates; the resilient lating material, a pair of elongated arms interstrips may be separated apart from each other connected together and with said handle at one by the action ofathumb lever interposed between 10 end of said arms, spring means to normally the arms of the tongs and operable with the urge the free ends of said arms together, means thumb of the operator. at said free ends of said arms defining a pair The resilient strip elements and the springs of tongs adapted to clamp said article thereare secured to a, handle made of heat insulating between in said normal spring-urged condition material, the free ends of the strips being proof said arms, and means operable by a finger vided with unequally formed V-shaped jaws of the user to force said arms apart against facing each other. said spring action.

The above described device ofiers, as compared 2. A device for handling a chemical laborawith the conventional devices used in laboratory container comprising in combination a tories, the advantage of avoiding the necessity 2o handle of heat-isolating material, a pair of resil of maintaining both arms of the tongs clamped ient elongated juxtaposed strips rigidly interby a manually exerted stress which with time connected at one end thereof together and with may become tiring. said handle, so as to be normally in engagement To clearly state the nature of the invention, substantially throughout their length, a pair of one specific embodiment thereof is described spring-plates having one end rigidly secured to hereinafter merely by way of example and refsaid handle and to said secured ends of said ence bei ad t a p y rawings. strips on the outer sides thereof and each having any features of the invention which may appear an inturned projection engaging an intermediate both from the drawings and the disclosure, point of each of said strips to positively springforming of course part of the invention. urge said strips into clamped condition, means Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective my improved at the free ends of said strips adapted to clamp tongs in inoperative condition. said container therebetween in said clamped Fig. 2 illustrates the tongs as used in holding condition of said strips, and means operable by a test tube. a finger of the user to force one of said strips Referring to the drawings, l and 2 indicate with its related spring away from the other one. the pair of resilient strip elements, forming the 3. A device for handling a chemical laboraarms of the tongs, 3 and 4 are the pring plates, tory container comprising in combination a 5 is the handle and 6 is the thumb-lever which handle of heat-isolating material, a pair of juxis maintained in its normal position by means taposed resilient strips rigidly secured to said of notches l and 8 respectively formed in the handle in normally juxtaposed relation at one strip 2 and the spring 4; 9 and II] are the free end thereof, a pair of spring-plates having one ends of the strips adapted to form jaws; the end thereof rigidly secured to said handle and bent end 9, is stifiened with an element II. to the adjacent ends of said strips and having Operation of the device will clearly appear an inturned opposite end engaging an interiromastudyof the drawing;the thumb leverwhen mediate point of said strips to urge said strips actuated actsupon the strip element 2 which to said normal juxtaposed relationship, means is moved away from strip element I; thereby at the free ends of said strips defining clamping enabling a test tube or the like to be inserted means therebetween, and a thumb-operable probetween both jaws of the tongs. The article jecting lever having a part accommodated bethus inserted is retained by the action of the tween said strips adjacent to said handle norsprings and the shape of the free ends of the mally lying in the plane of said strips and arms of the tongs formed as jaws. adapted as said lever is operated to assume a Obviously without exceeding the scope of the position outside of said plane to forcibly cam invention, alterations may be made therein, prosaiclstrips apart.

vided the essential spirit thereof is not afiected, 4. A device for handling a chemical laboraand any suitable materials may be employed in tory container comprising in combination a, its construction. handle of heat-isolating material, a pair of juxtaposed resilient strips rigid, with said handle at one end'of said strips, a pair of spring-plates on the outersides of said strips urging said strips to-juxtaposed position, each of said strips at the free end thereof being bent to the form of an inwardly opening V of a difierent angle, both of said Vs being adapted to clamp said container therebetween, and thumb-operable means to force said strips apart against the said strips.

4 jecting lever having a part accommodated in said recesses and operable to cam said strips apart and clamping means at the free ends of NLARBEUF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 210,849 Goss Dec. 17, 1878 g 970,938 Mickey Sept. 20, 1910 .1-;751,-181 Williams Mar. 18, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 122,02 l Switzerland "Aug. 16, 192? 

